The internet has had a crazy dramatic impact on our lives. There is no question about that. But how does it change the way we learn specifically? Vast sources of information are instantly available at our fingertips and makes resources like text books, articles, online encyclopedias and databases more accessible. Taking an online approach to education is changing the way we process information and learn in many innovative and groundbreaking ways. Let’s take a closer look at online education.
Reference sites are everywhere these days. Wikipedia, Britannica, not to mention private databases hosted by official institutions are available and represent a crucial shift to individualized learning. This opens up an limitless portal through which information may be presented and processed, unique to the user. With online education, all information is presented, but it is up to the user to look up information that will cater specifically to their learning needs and abilities. This allows learning to be more flexible, and completing assignments may be done at one’s own pace, and not based on group learning curricula.
We tend to look at virtual classrooms as less legitimate, less efficient, and maybe even sub-par. This is changing drastically these days with accredited online degrees offered by many leading higher educational institutions. Even more so, we can use virtual learning as a way to complement and supplement traditional learning, adding a whole new dimension of learning and interacting to traditional on campus colleges. This is extremely advantageous, as we can easily schedule our lives to complement our academic pursuits, whatever that may be. More and more opportunities are now available and exponentially growing, making it easier to pursue the degree we want without sacrificing family time, job opportunities and juggling our personal life.
It’s no question the internet and online media is changing how we learn. We have revolutionized traditional methods which have given birth to a more flexible learning model. Learn in a virtual classroom, and immediately apply it at your job, internship, or abroad study, anywhere and anytime in the world. Confused? Ask a question and have professors assist you immediately rather than having to schedule office hours. You are also instantly connected to your classmates and discussion boards for more support.
One size fits all type of lectures are now old methods of learning. You now have the power to shape your own learning at your own pace, allowing you, not private expensive institutions, to design your own educational path. Anyone with an internet connection and some ambition can educate themselves and get to where they want to be.
Top online colleges are now replacing traditional classrooms. Our breadth of knowledge will expand, parallel to technological innovations and learning methods offered online. This is exactly what the internet has done for higher education – made it more accessible to all income levels and demographics. The beginning of e-learning has just begun and it is up to us to truly optimize online educational tools available through online and virtual media.
